Getting your chimney swept: Everything you need to know

Before you cosy up beside your first open fire, you'll need to have your chimney swept. Find out what's involved and how to prepare, with advice from Checkatrade David Johnson of Safer Chimneys.

Chimney sweeping is one home maintenance job you don't want to put off. A regular professional sweep will keep your fire burning brightly and safely all winter.

This guide explores everything you need to know about chimney sweeping, with some practical advice from Checkatrade member David Johnson of Safer Chimneys.

Why is chimney sweeping important?

Maintaining your fire with regular professional chimney sweeps is vital. The benefits include:

• Your fire burns more efficiently, providing vital heat for those colder evenings and potential savings on utility bills

• It safeguards you and your loved ones from the risk of chimney fires, which happen when coal soot or wood tar is left to build up

• It validates your home insurance

How often should your chimney be swept?

A professional chimney sweeper should happily offer expert advice on how often your stove needs cleaning. Factors they consider include:

• What kind of stove is it

• If it's an open fire

• Is your chimney lined

• What fuel do you burn, and how often do you use it

As a general rule of thumb, once or twice a year is sufficient. However, for homeowners relying on their stoves as their only heating source, you’ll need them swept every few months during their high use in winter. The NACS website provides useful information on this.

David's expert tip – "Always plan ahead. The closer Santa gets to coming down the chimney, the busier chimney sweeps get, too!"

Signs your chimney needs sweeping

It’s important you can spot the signs that your chimney needs sweeping. This is especially key if you’ve moved into a new home and don’t know when the previous owners last cleaned the chimney.

Signs to look out for include:

• A foul tar-like smell, even when the fire isn’t lit

• The fire surround is black from the soot

• Soot is falling into the hearth and room

• Dark smoke is coming out of the chimney

• The fire doesn’t burn strongly

• You suspect birds have nested

What to expect when you have a chimney sweep

Thankfully, things have moved on since the days of the Victorian chimney sweepers, covered head-to-toe in soot.

Nowadays, chimney sweeping is a much slicker operation. Steps they’ll take include:

1. Inspecting the chimney: Using a torch and sometimes a camera, a professional looks for signs of obstruction, such as bird nests, or damage

2. Prepping the space: Protective equipment covers the flooring and furniture close to the fireplace

3. Cleaning: Depending on the type of chimney you have, a sweeper uses poles, brushes or a high-powered vacuum to capture soot and debris as it dislodges from the chimney

4. Certificate: If all is well after a final inspection, your sweeper will issue you an insurance-accepted certificate

What to prepare for the sweep's visit

Chimney sweepers will bring their own protective coverings to protect the floors surrounding the fire.

However, a bit of extra prep work in advance can be helpful. For instance, clear the fire mantelpiece of any valuables or ornaments. And if your chimney hasn't been swept for a long time, protect your furniture with dust covers.

How long does a chimney sweep take?

That all depends on when your chimney was last swept – and how dirty it is!

The type of fire you have can also be a factor to consider. For instance, open fireplaces usually take less time to clean than wood-burning stoves.

But on average, a chimney sweeper takes about an hour. However, fires with more complex flue systems might take a little longer.

How much does a chimney sweep cost in the UK?

The cost of regularly sweeping a chimney far outweighs the risk of chimney fires. And it might not be as costly as you think.

The average cost of having your chimney cleaned is around £110.

Most chimney sweeps charge a fixed rate for the job, but this varies depending on where you are in the UK, how many chimneys need to be cleaned, and whether there are any accessibility issues.

Chimney sweep: Cost breakdown 2025

A regular chimney sweep keeps your fire burning bright and guards against hazardous chimney fires. But how often should you clean your chimney? But what are the costs involved? Our expert guide has all the answers.

Learn more

How to find a reliable chimney sweeper

Ready to find reputable, experienced sweepers like David of Safer Chimneys in your area? Just follow these five simple steps:

1. Look on Checkatrade:

We’re so confident in the quality of the trades on Checkatrade that if you book through us, we guarantee their work up to £1,000. Guaranteed for 12 months – Eligibility criteria and T&Cs apply.

2. Read online reviews:

Do your research to check the quality and professionalism of a tradesperson through customer reviews.

At Checkatrade, we check reviews to make sure they’re from real people and that our tradespeople meet our high standards.

3. Compare quotes:

We always recommend getting at least three quotes to compare.

4. Look for accreditations:

David’s expert tip – "Choose a sweep who is a member of one of the leading associations, like NACS or The Guild of Master Sweeps. They are trained to a high standard and have the right equipment and necessary insurance".

They can also issue certificates from their recognised association, which will comfort to you and your home insurers that the job is completed correctly.

5. Check insurance:

Last but not least, check that your chimney sweep has liability insurance. This means you won’t be held liable should anything go wrong.

Ready to find highly-rated chimney sweepers in your area? Search your postcode below to get started.

FAQs

Is chimney sweeping messy?

Having your chimney swept is nowhere near as messy as it used to be, and correctly trained sweeps leave your home as clean as they found it.

Do I need to cover furniture for a chimney sweep?

If you haven’t had your chimney swept for a long time, it’s a good idea to cover any furniture in the room with dust covers, just in case. Most professional sweeps also bring their own protective coverings to protect the floors surrounding the fire.

Can you sweep a chimney yourself?

Most home insurers require a professional sweeper to clean your chimney as part of their policy. Some even ask for a certificate as proof. Therefore, it’s not worth cutting corners, and hiring a professional is best.

What logs do you use to reduce soot and residue?

Once you’ve had your chimney swept, choose a fuel that burns more efficiently and cleanly. This will produce less soot and means your chimney stays cleaner for longer.

David’s expert tip – Use seasoned logs – the soot should be finer and far less. Make sure the logs aren't too big, as they burn more efficiently. Smaller logs (125mm wide or less) burn at a higher temperature, which is more efficient and better for the environment.

Also, make sure your fire is hot enough, says David. If a stove burns at a too-low temperature, the deposit is lumpy. This type of burning pollutes the atmosphere and damages the flue liner.

Should I store my logs next to my fire?

David advises not to store logs next to the appliance, as it's a fire hazard.